WALES CHILDREN’S & YOUNG PEOPLE’S BOOK COVER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2024

The Books Council of Wales has announced the shortlisted titles in its brand-new Children’s Book Cover of the Year Awards, which will be awarded for the first time in 2024.

The awards have two categories – Welsh-language Book Cover and English-language Book Cover. The shortlisted books have been selected by the nine members of the Books Council of Wales’ Young People’s Panel, and the two category winners will be chosen by a public vote to be held online from 12-25 November. Voting will close at midday, 25 November 2024.

 

The shortlisted books are:

English-language Book Cover:

Ceri & Deri: 1,2,3 Cover illustration by Max Low. Cover design by Joana Rodrigues, Graffeg. Author Max Low. Published by Graffeg.

Lilly & Myles: The Torch Cover illustration by Hannah Rounding. Cover design by Joana Rodrigues, Graffeg. Author Jon Roberts. Published by Graffeg.

Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine Cover illustration by Becka Moor. Author Claire Fayers. Published by Firefly.

The Song that Sings Us Cover artwork by Jane Matthews. Author Nicola Davies. Published by Firefly.

 

Welsh-language Book Cover:

Ac Rwy’n Clywed Dreigiau / And I Hear Dragons Cover illustration by Eric Heyman. Cover design by Becka Moor. Editor: Hanan Issa. Published by Firefly.

Diwrnod Prysur Cover illustration and design by Huw Aaron. Author Huw Aaron. Published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch.

Mwy o Straeon o’r Mabinogi Cover illustration by Valériane Leblond. Cover design by Gwasg Rily Publications. Author: Siân Lewis. Published by Gwasg Rily Publications.

Mynd i Weld Nain Cover illustration by Lily Mŷrennin. Cover design by Richard Pritchard. Author Delyth Jenkins. Published by Y Lolfa.

 

The awards have been established to celebrate and recognise the contribution of illustrators and designers in bringing stories to life, and creating eye-catching, attractive books that appeal to young readers.

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales said: “We are so excited to launch our very first Book Cover of the Year Awards this year to honour and recognise the outstanding quality of book design for children’s and young people’s books in Wales.

“These awards celebrate the talented designers and illustrators who create book covers that grab attention, convey just enough of the story, and have the perfect balance of title, author and imagery – and ultimately inspire young readers to pick up their next book. We can’t wait to see which books will be chosen as the winners in the public vote over the coming weeks and wish everyone shortlisted the very best of luck.”

The designer/illustrator of the winning cover in each category will win or share a cash prize of £500. The winners will be decided by an online public vote for each category, between 12-25 November. Voting will close at midday, 25 November 2024. You can vote once in each category at the following link:

Vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ClawrLlyfrPlantYFlwyddyn

The winners will be announced on Thursday 28 November 2024.